4-acylthio and 4-aroylthio derivatives of 3-keto-delta4-steroids and process for preparing same



United States Patent 3,154,542 4-ACYLTl-ll0 AND 4-AROYLTl-il0 DERIVATIVES 0F S-KETO-M-EETERUIDS AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING SAME Ursula lula Hanna Bernstein, John William Backer, Rernard Ellis, and Vladimir Petrow, all of London, England, assignors to The British Drug Houses Limited No Drawing. Filed lune 13, 1963, Ser. No. 287,49il Claims priority, application Great Britain, June 18, 1962, 23,351/62; Aug. 27, 1962, 32,7fiil/62 17 Claims. (Ci. ass-239.55

This invention is for improvements in or relating to organic compounds, and has particular reference to a new class of steroidal A -3-ones substituted in the 4-position by an acylthio or aroylthio grouping.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new class of steroidal A -3-ones substituted in the 4-p0si- Lion by an acylt-hio or aroylthio grouping including Formula I below which compounds are of value on account of their biological properties and as intermediates for the preparation of compounds having valuable biological properties.

The invention provides the following specific new 4- substituted steroidal A -3-ones:

4-acetylthio-17a-methyltestosterone which is of value on account of its favourable anabolic/anhdrogenic activity index, when administered by the oral route;

4-acetylthio-testosterone propionate, 4-acetylthio-19-nor-testosterone, 4-benzoyltbio-testosterone propionate which are of value on account of their anabolic/ androgenic properties; 4-acetylthio progesterone, 4-acetylthio--17a-acetoxyprogesterone, 4-acetylthio-1lu-hydroxyprogesterone, 4-acetylthio-1 l fi-hydroxyprogesterone, 4-acetylthio-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-progesterone which are of value on account to their progestational, claudogenic and other hormonal and antihormonal properties;

4- acetylthio bismethylencdioxy cortison derivative which is of value as an intermediate for the preparation of 4-acetylthio-cortisone and its esters and derivatives.

The invention also provides a process for the preparation of the 4-substituted-A -3-ones (I), which utilises as starting materials the corresponding 4,5-epoxy-3-oncs including the general Formula 11 below.

According to the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of steroidal 4-substituted-A 3-ones including the general formua SOOR (where R is an alkyl radical containing up to three carbon atoms or an aryl radical containing up to eight carbon 3,154,542 Patented Get. 27., 1964 atoms) which process comprises reacting the corresponding steroidal 4,5-epoxy-3-one including the general formula with a thio-aliphatic acid (containing up to four carbon atoms) or with a thio-aromatic acid (containing up to nine carbon atoms).

The preferred method comprises reacting the 4,5-epoxy- 3-one (II), which may consist of a mixture of isomeric epoxides, with a lower thio-aliphatic or thio-aromatic acid in the absence of a solvent or catalyst, when it is converted into the required 4-substituted-A -3-one (-I).

In carrying the process of this invention into effect, the 4,5-epoxy-3-one (II) [which may consist of a mixture of 406,506- and 4,8,5B-epoxide and preferably with the latter epoxide forming the predominant component] is dissolved in, for example, an excess of thioacetic acid or thiobenzoic acid, and the mixture allowed to stand for several hours at room temperature. Alternatively, in order to increase the speed of the reaction, the mixture may be heated at temperatures up to circa C. for periods of time depending upon the particular temperature em ployed, until reaction is complete. Thereafter, the steroidal product is isolated by methods well-known to those skilled in the art and suitably purified.

The process of the invention may be applied to 4,5- epoxy-3-one derivatives of androstane, D-homoandrostane, 19-norandrostane, pregnane, D-homo pregnane and 19- norpregnane.

The following additional groups will not, in general, interfere with the process of the invention:

Hydroxy or acyloxy groups at positions such as C-ll, 16, 17, 20 and 21; although such hydroxy groups may possibly undergo complete or partial acylation;

Oxo groups at positions such as C-11, 17 and 20;

Alkyl groups containing up to four carbon atoms, and in particular methyl groups, at positions C-l, 2, 7, 11, 16, 17 and 21;

Halogeno groups, and in particular fluoroand chlorogroups at positions C-9, 11, 16, 17 and 21;

Isopropylidenedioxy at position 16-17 pregnanes;

Bis-methylenedioxy at position l7u,20:20,21, and

Unsaturated linkages.

The starting materials of the present invention are well known in the art or may be prepared by methods established in the art.

The starting material employed in Examples 1 and 8 was prepared by propionylation of the 45,5[3-epoxide derived from testosterone. It crystallised from methanol in plates, MP. 156 to 157 C. [a] +l22, (0., 1.1 in CHCl The starting material employed in Example 6 was prepared as follows:

A stirred suspension of 16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (5 g.) in methanol (330 ml.) was in 20-oxo treated at 15 C. with 4 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (10 ml.) and 30% hydrogen peroxide (17 ml.). The mixture was cooled to C. and maintained at this temperature for 1 /2 hours. Thereafter, it was allowed to reach room temperature during one hour, acidified with acetic acid, and poured into water. The precipitated solid was collected and crystallised from aqueous methanol to give the 4,5-epoxide of 16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, needles, M.P. 154 to 159 C.

The 4,5-epoxide starting material employed in Example 9 was prepared from 19-nor-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione in a similar manner. It crystallised from aqueous methanol in shiny plates, M.P. 166 to 168 C.

The 4,5-epoxide starting material employed in Example 10 was prepared from the bismethylenedioxy derivative of cortisone in a similar manner. It crystallised from methanol in plates, M.P. 290 to 292 C.

The process of the invention may be used in the preparation of 4-acylthio or aroylthio derivatives of the following steroids and acyl derivatives thereof:

Testosterone, 2-methyl testosterone, Hot-methyl testosterone and their 9(l1)-dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

17a-acyloxyprogesterone and its 9(11)-dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

16-methyl-17a-acyloxyprogesterone and its 9(11)-dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

21-fluoro-16-methyl-17a-acyloxyprogesterone and its 9(11)-del1ydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

16-methylene-17o;-acyloxyprogesterone and its 9(11)- dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

21-fiuoro-16-methylene-17u acyloxyprogesterone and its 9(11)-dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

17a-acyloxy-16-ethylideneprogesterone.

16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxyprogesterone and its 9(11)- dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

Cortisone bismethylenedioxy derivative.

16-methyl cortisone bismethylenedioxy derivative.

16-methylene cortisone bismethylenedioxy derivative.

The 16a,17u-isopropylidene derivative of 16a-hydroxy cortisone.

Hydrocortisone bismethylenedioxy derivative.

16-methyl hydrocortisone bismethylenedioxy derivative.

The 16a,17u-isopropylidenedioxy derivative of 16u-hydroxyhydrocortisone.

The bismethylenedioxy derivative of 17a,21-dihydroxypregna-4,9(11)-diene-3,20-dione.

The bismethylenedioxy derivative of 16-methyl-17a,21- dihydroxypregna-4,9(1 1 )-diene13 ,20-dione.

The bismethylenedioxy derivative of ld-methylene- 1711,21-dihydroxypregna-4,9(11 )-diene-3,20-dione.

The 160:,17m-isopropylidenedioxy derivative of 16a,17a, 21-trihydroxypregna-4,9 11 )-diene-3,20-dione.

21-fluoro-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxypregna 4,9(1l)- diene-3,20-dione.

2 l-fluoro-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxypregn-4-ene-3,l 1, 20-triene.

21 fluoro 11 hydroxy-l6a,17a-isopropylidenedioxyprcgn-4-ene-3,20-dione.

21-fiuoro-17a-acyloxyprogesterone and its 9(11)-dehydro, ll-oxo and ll-hydroxy derivatives.

Progesterone and its 9(11)-dehydro, ll-oxo and 11- hydroxy derivatives.

16-methyl progesterone, 16u,17u-cyclomethylene progesterone and 16a,17a-cycloethylidene progesterone.

21-fluoro progesterone, 19-nor progesterone.

Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and its Z-methyl, 16-methyl and 2,16-diethyl derivatives.

ll-oxo, ll-hydroxy and the 9(11)-dehydro derivatives of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione.

19-norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione.

19-nortestosterone and 17a-methyl-19-nor-testosterone.

Following is a description by Way of example of methods of carrying the invention into eifect.

A solution of the 4,8,5fl-epoxide (2.2 g.) derived from testosterone propionate, in thioacetic acid (5 ml.), was heated on a steam-bath for 7 hours. Ether (150 ml.) was added, the mixture washed with aqueous sodium carbonate, then with water, dried and the solvent removed. Crystallisation of the residue from aqueous methanol gave 4-acetylthiotestosterone propionate, as rods, M.P. 142 to 144 C., +114 (c., 1.04 in CHCl 234 to 235 m, (6, 1 V001 1735, 1703 and (DH-2012 max. 1678 cm. v 1564 cm.

EXAMPLE 2 4-Acetylthio Progesterone O 0 Me Me I SCOMc A solution of mixed 4,5-epoxides (3 g.) (British Patent 838,771) derived from progesterone, in thioacetic acid (8 ml.) was heated on the steam bath for 2 /2 hours. The product was isolated by the method of Example 1 and purified from aqueous methanol. 4-acetylthio progesterone separated in needles, M.P. 177 to 179 0., M13 3 ELOH M.

235 to 237 m EXAMPLE 3 4 -A cetylthio-I 1 Ot-H ydroxy progesterone C 0M0 Me I I SCOMe A solution of the 4,5-epoxide (2 g.) (British Patent 838,771) derived from lla-hydroxyprogesterone, in thioacetic acid (5 ml.) Was heated on the steam bath for 5 hours. The product was isolated by the method described in Example 1, and crystallised from aqueous methanol. 4 acetylthio 11oz hydroxyprogesterone separated in needles, M.P. 202 to 203 C., +132 (c., 1.0 in CHCl max.

234 III/.4 (e =10,640)

EXAM PLE 4 4-A cetylthio-l 1 5-H ydroxy progesterone Me I OMe s C OMe A solution of the 4,5-epoxide (2.5 g) (British Patent 838,771) derived from 11 fl-hydroxyprogesterone, in thioacetic acid (7 ml.), was heated on the steam bath for 6 hours. The products was isolated by the method described in Example 1, and purified from aqueous methanol. 4-acetylthio-l lfl-hydroxyprogesteron crystallised in needles, M.P. 199 to 201 C., [04 +174 (c., 1.1 in CHCl EXAMPLE 4-Acetylthi0-1 7a-Acet0xyprogester0ne O OMe Me a O:

s C OMe A solution of 4,5-epoxide (2 g.) (British Patent 839,- 908) derivedfrom 17m-acetoxyprogesterone, in thioacetic acid (5 ml.) was heated on the steam bath for 2 hours. The product was isolated by the method described in Example 1, and purified from aqueous methanol to give 4- acetylthio-17a-acetoxyprogesterone, needles, M.P. 195 to.

197 C., M1 +78 (c., 0.94 in CHCl EXAMPLE 6 4-Acetylthio-16a,1 7u-Isopr0pylidenedi0xy Progesterone A solution of the 4,5-epoxide (3 g.) derived from 16a, 17a-isopropy1idenedioxy progesterone, in thioacetic acid (6 ml.) was heated on the steam bath for 2 hours. The product was isolated by the method described in Example 1, and purified from aqueous methanol to give 4-acety1- thio-1611,17a4isopropylidenedioxy progesterone, needles, M.P. 191 to 193 C., +152 (c., 1.02 in CHClg),

max.

A solution of 4,5-epoxide derived from 17a-methyl testosterone (1 g., mixture of a and B-isomers) (US. Patent 2,885,398) in thioacetic acid (2 ml.) was left for 18 hours at room temperature. Ether ml.) was added, and the mixture Washed neutral with aqueous sodium carbonate, dried, and the solvent evaporated. The gummy residue was dissolved in benzene and the solution passed through a column of alumina. Elution with benzene gave a gum which crystallised from hexane-ether to give 4-acetylthio-17l3-hydroxy-17a-methylandrost-4-en- 3-one as prisms, M.P. to 166 C., +88 (c., 1.02 in chloroform),

11%;? 3500, 1700, 1665 and 1565 omf A219? 235 to 237 my (10g 5 4.02)

EXAMPLE 8 4-Benz0ylthi0 Testosterone Propionate 0 o 0 0211 Me S C O C 5H5 A solution of the 413,55-epoxide (1 g.) derived from testosterone propionate, in thiobenzoic acid (2 ml.) was heated on the steam bath for 2 hours. The product was isolated by the method of Example 1 and purified from methanol. 4-benzoylthio testosterone propionate separated in needles, M.P. 174 to 176 C., +141 (c., 1.0 in CHCI A 243 mp. (e=21,530').

EXAMPLE 9 4 -A cetylthio-I 9-N 0randr0st-4-Ene-3,1 7-Di0ne SCOCH3 A solution of the 4,5-epoxide (1 g.) derived from 19- norandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, in thioacetic acid (2 ml.), was heated on the steam bath for 2 hours. The product was isolated by the method described in Example 1, and purified from methanol. 4-acetylthio-18-n0randrost-4- ene-3,17-dione separated in needles, M.P. 224 to 225 C., [111 +1555 (c., 0.8 in chloroform), A 233 to 234 m (e=11,100).

72 EXAMPLE 4-Acetylthio Bismethylenedioxy Cortisone Derivative SOOMe EXAMPLE II 4-A cetyllhio-I 9-N0rtest0sler0ne OH Me l .QQ

A solution of the 4,5-epoxide (1 g.) (US. Patent 2,908,682) derived from 19-nortest0sterone, in thioacetic acid (2 ml.), was heated on the steam bath for 2 hours. The product, isolated by the method described in Example 1, was characterised by A 233 to 234 mg (e=11,000).

We claim:

1. A process for the preparation of a 3-keto-A -steroid compound having an -SCOR group attached to the number four carbon atom of the steroid nucleus, where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing up to three carbon atoms and aryl containing up to eight carbon atoms, comprising reacting the corresponding 3-keto-4,5-epoxy steroid with an acid selected from the group consisting of thio-aliphatic acids containing up to four carbon atoms and thio-aromatic acids containing up to nine carbon atoms to give the said 3-keto-A -steroid substituted in the 4-position.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the 3-keto- 4,5-epoxy steroid consists of a mixture of isomeric epoxides.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the 3-keto- 4,5-epoxy steroid is reacted with the acid in the absence of solvents and catalysts.

4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thioaliphatic acid is thio-acetic acid.

5. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thioaromatic acid is thiobenzoic acid.

6. A 3-keto-A -steroid compound having a --SCOR group attached to the number 4 carbon atom of the steroid nucleus, where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing up to three carbon atoms and aryl containing up to eight carbon atoms, said compound having at the 17-position a side chain selected from the group consisting of those characterizing pregnane and androstane compounds.

7. 4-acetylthi0-testosterone propionate.

8. 4-acetylthio-17ot-methyltestostcrone.

9. 4-acetylthio-l9-nor-testosterone.

10. 4-benzoylthiotestosterone propionate.

11. 4-acetylthio progesterone.

12. 4-acety1thio-17a-acetoxypr0gesterone.

13. 4-acetylthio-1lot-hydroxyprogesterone.

14. 4-acetylthio-1 1 B-hydroxyprogesterone.

15. 4 acetylthio-16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy progesterone.

16. 4-acetylthi0-bismethylenedioxy cortisone.

17. 4-acetylthio-19-norandrost-4-ene-3,l7-dione.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,933,510 4/60 Julian et al. 260-3973 LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner. 

6. A 3-KETO-$4-STEROID COMPOUND HAVING A -SCOR GROUP ATTACHED TO THE NUMBER 4 CARBON ATOM OF THE STEROID NUCLEUS, WHERE R IS SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKYL CONTAINING UP TO THREE CARBON ATOMS AND ARYL CONTAINING UP TO EIGHT CARBON ATOMS, SAID COMPOUND HAVING AT THE 17-POSITION A SIDE CHAIN SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THOSE CHARACTERIZING PREGNANE AND ANDROSTANE COMPOUNDS.
 15. 4 - ACETYLTHIO-16A, 17A-ISOPROPYLIDENEDIOXY PROGESTERONE. 